Nostr notes by Texas Observer

SCOOP: The Republican Women’s Caucus Fund and a man named John ...

2026-10-29T22:25:31Z

SCOOP: The Republican Women’s Caucus Fund and a man named John Braun have been identified as the names behind controversial anti-transgender text messages sent to Texans earlier this month, just before similar flyers hit millions of mailboxes.

More from Steven Monacelli: https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-gop-group-behind-mysterious-trans-student-messages/

#Republicans #midterms #politics #news #Transgender #trans #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Texas

The Observer linked the barcode on the "Transgender Student ...

2026-10-28T14:02:09Z

The Observer linked the barcode on the "Transgender Student Union" mailers to Snailworks, a mail tracking company. Snailworks received federal campaign payments from only one group in 2026: the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The NRCC told us it had nothing to do with the mailers. https://www.texasobserver.org/ken-paxton-james-talarico-texas-senate-october-surprises-pure-disinformation/

#Republicans #news #midterms #politics #Texas #transgender #LGBTQIA

It’s the first time in modern #Texas history that there will be ...

2026-10-27T23:00:46Z

It’s the first time in modern #Texas history that there will be a Democrat in every state & federal race. In West Texas that means strengthening the party’s infrastructure & taking on politicians who have sunk comfortably into the highest seats of power. https://www.texasobserver.org/west-texas-dems-candidates-deep-red-2026/

#WestTexas #Democrats #midterms #politics #news

From 2024: A massive theft of artifacts from #Texas Christian ...

2026-10-12T15:01:47Z

From 2024: A massive theft of artifacts from #Texas Christian University revealed troubling issues about how the artifacts were obtained, the security of collections like these, and Texans role in the illicit trade of artifacts. https://www.texasobserver.org/the-heist/

#history #Indigenous #IndigenousPeoplesDay #news #education

Top story: "The 2010 Citizens United decision opened the ...

2026-10-09T17:00:07Z

Top story: "The 2010 Citizens United decision opened the floodgates to unlimited dark money in American politics, and the right has used it with devastating efficiency. And they do this not by writing treatises but by writing checks." https://www.texasobserver.org/altar-boy-south-texas-catholic-church-pope-vatican/

#religion #politics

“We will all be more safe when ICE gets the hell out of Austin, ...

2026-10-09T14:00:56Z

“We will all be more safe when ICE gets the hell out of Austin, Texas.”

There's renewed opposition to #Immigration & Customs Enforcement officials after the shooting of Wilber Garces Perez, but what can the city do against a fascist federal government? https://www.texasobserver.org/wilber-garces-perez-shooting-ice-out-of-austin/

#Austin #ICE #CentralTexas #Texas #police #HumanRights #law #news #fascism

In #books: Workaday encounters with fellow citizens, such as ...

2026-10-07T22:00:06Z

In #books: Workaday encounters with fellow citizens, such as eating at a restaurant or filling up on gas, become freighted with mortal peril. In one darkly comic scene, an instructor demonstrates how he keeps his gun at the ready while sitting on a public toilet. https://www.texasobserver.org/basic-pistol-book-review-guns-texas/

#guns #GunViolence #MentalHealth #Texas #2A #culture #bookstodon

New from Mary Tuma: “By delaying their most recent report and ...

2026-10-07T17:00:27Z

New from Mary Tuma: “By delaying their most recent report and refusing to release data from 2022 and 2023, [the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee] are not only preventing lifesaving information from being made public, but they are also refusing to honor the lives lost.” https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-maternal-mortality-report-delay-elections-dshs/

#RoeVWade #abortion #healthcare #midterms #Texas #politics #news

Texas is scheduled to execute Jamaal Howard on Wednesday, the ...

2026-10-06T19:00:10Z

Texas is scheduled to execute Jamaal Howard on Wednesday, the first in the U.S. after Tennessee's infamously botched attempt went viral.

In this new article, Jeff Hood, his spiritual advisor, explains the difficult conversations they've had about what it means to be put to death: https://www.texasobserver.org/the-distance-between-dying-and-death/

#Texas #prison #law #ethics #DeathPenalty #HumanRights

From our magazine: "The Pope defends human dignity. He ...

2026-10-06T14:01:52Z

From our magazine: "The Pope defends human dignity. He defends organized labor. He calls for concrete social criteria to govern technological innovation. This is the Church’s social teaching at its best.

But I keep coming back to the loaves." https://www.texasobserver.org/altar-boy-south-texas-catholic-church-pope-vatican/

#religion #ethics #news #politics

Now hiring: We're seeking a paid intern to cover the 2027 ...

2026-09-28T16:57:26Z

Now hiring: We're seeking a paid intern to cover the 2027 Texas Legislature. If you're finishing your schooling and want hands-on experience in political/policy journalism, apply by October 30. 20/hours per week and located at our Austin office: https://www.texasobserver.org/2027-legislative-internship/

From Clayton Waters: A school district this geographically, ...

2026-09-26T21:00:08Z

From Clayton Waters: A school district this geographically, economically and racially diverse should not allow the same districtwide majority to choose all trustees.

Today, this district has a chance to change direction, one with historical echoes. https://www.texasobserver.org/mansfield-isd-school-board-representation/

#education #Texas #politics #news #history #diversity #NorthTexas

From Gaige Davila: Time is running out for the Santa Ana National ...

2026-09-26T19:11:00Z

From Gaige Davila: Time is running out for the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, once called a "crown jewel" of protected spaces in the U.S. Can one last lawsuit slow down the border wall until Congress can act? https://www.texasobserver.org/santa-ana-wildlife-refuge-border-wall-congress/

#Texas #SouthTexas #border #nature #news #Trump #fascism #law

“I feel very powerless. But it’s not a good excuse to not ...

2026-09-23T15:29:11Z

“I feel very powerless. But it’s not a good excuse to not show up.”

New from Gaige Davila: Time is running out for the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, once called a "crown jewel" of protected spaces in the U.S. Can one last lawsuit slow down the #border wall until Congress can act? https://www.texasobserver.org/santa-ana-wildlife-refuge-border-wall-congress/

#Texas #Trump #nature #news #SouthTexas

In #books: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor identify religious ...

2026-09-22T22:00:05Z

In #books: Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor identify religious extremists, the tech elites, and ethno-fascists as “end time fascists.” What they have in common is that they believe they will be the “chosen ones” in the apocalypse that they are accelerating. https://www.texasobserver.org/naomi-klein-end-times-fascism-book-review/

#fascism #tech #AI #culture #bookstodon

New from Justin Doud: Water is one of many issues at the ...

2026-09-09T20:01:04Z

New from Justin Doud: Water is one of many issues at the forefront of Texas politics this election cycle, no place more so than in Corpus Christi. Both candidates for this key House race have made it a central point in their campaigns. https://www.texasobserver.org/corpus-christi-water-election-texas-house-district-34/

#midterms #water #drought #CorpusChristi #environment #news #GulfCoast

To continue running the deadly El Paso detention center, the feds ...

2026-09-07T19:00:10Z

To continue running the deadly El Paso detention center, the feds turn to a company that’s faced numerous lawsuits from labor unions and former employees and is actively fighting a whistleblower in court. https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-contractor-camp-east-montana-el-paso/

#union #ICE #HumanRights #news #LaborDay

We are hiring! We are looking for a highly organized individual ...

2026-09-07T15:00:53Z

We are hiring!

We are looking for a highly organized individual with great customer service skills who will become the first line of communication with our membership.

Based in #Austin, part time, hybrid option: https://www.texasobserver.org/were-hiring-operations-manager/

#jobs #journalism #Texas #GetFediHired #FediHired #nonprofit

From Dylan Baddour at Inside Climate News: On a single day last ...

2026-08-30T17:01:00Z

From Dylan Baddour at Inside Climate News: On a single day last week, the city council in drought-stricken Corpus Christi voted to lift restrictions on watering lawns, and to suspend policies designed to protect local wetlands. https://www.texasobserver.org/corpus-christi-water-lifting-restrictions-lawns/

#environment #GulfCoast #Texas #drought #water #news #CorpusChristi

From Gaige Davila: Since early July, #ICE has arrested people ...

2026-08-29T17:00:51Z

From Gaige Davila: Since early July, #ICE has arrested people daily in traffic stops throughout the Laguna Madre area. On July 14, the agency announced that on just one day in June it had arrested 238 people in the Rio Grande Valley, an apparent record. https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-surge-daily-life-deep-south-texas/

#SouthTexas #border #Texas #News #Immigration

Dildo demonstrations, 10 years later: “Texas has decided it is ...

2026-08-28T22:00:06Z

Dildo demonstrations, 10 years later: “Texas has decided it is not at all obnoxious or illegal to allow deadly concealed weapons on campus. But walking around with a dildo could land you in trouble. We’re protesting absurdity with absurdity.” https://www.texasobserver.org/cocks-not-glocks-at-10/

#GunViolence #Texas #history #activism #FreeSpeech

We are hiring! We are looking for a highly organized individual ...

2026-08-27T18:30:11Z

We are hiring!

We are looking for a highly organized individual with great customer service skills who will become the first line of communication with our membership: https://www.texasobserver.org/were-hiring-operations-manager/

#Texas #Journalism #News #jobs #nonprofit #GetFediHired

Previously: In an attempt to overcomply with #Texas law, the ...

2026-08-16T17:04:02Z

Previously: In an attempt to overcomply with #Texas law, the University of #Houston will eliminate over 100 women's studies, gender and sexuality courses from the core curriculum.

It won't be enough to appease extremist Republicans. https://www.texasobserver.org/university-of-houston-ends-gender-sexuality-courses-op-ed/

#women #gender #LGBTQIA #GulfCoast #news #politics #USpol

From Wednesday: Nearly 2,000 juniors across 16 high schools in ...

2026-08-07T18:30:09Z

From Wednesday: Nearly 2,000 juniors across 16 high schools in #Houston ISD were pulled from Algebra II and placed in remedial math. At some schools, about 70% of juniors were similarly demoted into less challenging classes.

It wasn't due to poor grades ... https://www.texasobserver.org/the-houston-miracle-shell-game/

#education #Texas #news #GulfCoast

Featured story: Bobby Pulido's determined to podcast, sing, ...

2026-08-04T17:00:16Z

Featured story: Bobby Pulido's determined to podcast, sing, and dance his way to Congress, brushing off every scandal that seeks to poison his good-vibes campaign.

Can this moderate Dem reclaim the hearts, minds and votes of this #border district? https://www.texasobserver.org/bobby-pulido-monica-de-la-cruz-south-texas/

#Democrats #midterms #SouthTexas #Texas #politics #USpol #news

Tuesday: Local officials' attempts to investigate the death ...

2026-07-31T18:30:11Z

Tuesday: Local officials' attempts to investigate the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo have been stonewalled at every turn. They've even consulted with Minneapolis for tips on forcing #ICE to face justice. https://www.texasobserver.org/houston-ice-killing-district-attorney-trump/

#police #law #fascism #Trump #Houston #GulfCoast #news #Texas

New today: The Harris County DA's Office is investigating ...

2026-07-28T20:00:09Z

New today: The Harris County DA's Office is investigating whether #ICE agents committed any crimes, including murder, manslaughter, and tampering with evidence, when they fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

Forcing ICE to answer questions is another matter. https://www.texasobserver.org/houston-ice-killing-district-attorney-trump/

#Texas #Houston #GulfCoast #police #law #news

“In some ways, I don’t think it can be worse.” Our top ...

2026-07-28T18:30:06Z

“In some ways, I don’t think it can be worse.”

Our top story: The collapse of a nonprofit designed to help young sex trafficking victims makes a disturbing illustration of the failures of #Texas' faltering foster care system. https://www.texasobserver.org/the-fall-of-hope-rising/

#children #HumanRights #news #religion

In #books: It starts with questioning the legitimacy of the ...

2026-07-25T21:00:30Z

In #books: It starts with questioning the legitimacy of the camps. In this excerpt, John Washington of Lookout News explains how we got here ... and looks toward a future where we put an end to immigrant detention. https://www.texasobserver.org/excerpt-how-to-close-a-camp/

#bookstodon #immigration #ICE #HumanRights #politics #USpol #history

Our top story: “It’s a huge mistake for schools to be calling ...

2026-07-16T20:00:06Z

Our top story: “It’s a huge mistake for schools to be calling the #police immediately for everything. The schools are choosing not to teach but instead pass the child to the police for punishment.” https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-school-arrests-crisis-kids-as-young-as-10/

#education #Texas #politics #USpol #news

In photos: "The state is increasingly transphobic—but so is ...

2026-07-12T19:00:25Z

In photos: "The state is increasingly transphobic—but so is our country. Trans people represent a sense of possibility and self-determination that undermines the colonial project that is America." https://www.texasobserver.org/a-mirror-and-a-portal/

#photography #trans #transgender #LGBTQIA #culture #Texas

From David Brockman: If #Texas is, as its pledge of allegiance ...

2026-07-11T16:58:28Z

From David Brockman: If #Texas is, as its pledge of allegiance states, “one state under God,” this begs a question. What God? Whose God?

A new book examines the diverse forms faith takes in the Lone Star State ... https://www.texasobserver.org/one-state-under-god-book-review/

#books #bookstodon #politics #USpol #culture #religion

From our magazine by Hope Corrigan: The Inside Books Project, a ...

2026-07-11T15:01:31Z

From our magazine by Hope Corrigan: The Inside Books Project, a nonprofit operated by volunteers, sends about 40,000 free books to prisoners each year. But their vital work is endangered by a new rule banning used and hardcover books. https://www.texasobserver.org/prison-crackdown-reading-access-profile/

Previously: Texas #Democrats asserted themselves as a unified ...

2026-07-09T14:02:36Z

Previously: Texas #Democrats asserted themselves as a unified party of the working class against the all-powerful billionaires—veiling underlying tensions over diversity, progressivism, and Israel. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-dems-corpus-convention-2026/

#Texas #news #politics #USpol

Reminder: ❌Veteran Brothers Roofing & Restoration ❌Grand ...

2026-07-08T19:02:27Z

Reminder:
❌Veteran Brothers Roofing & Restoration
❌Grand Pine Developments
❌Charvold Homes
❌Blue Collar Tree and Junk Removal
https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-four-businesses-patriot-front-north-texas/

#Texas #NorthTexas #fascism #WhiteSupremacy #extremism #news

From our magazine by Hope Corrigan: The Inside Books Project, a ...

2026-07-08T17:38:24Z

From our magazine by Hope Corrigan: The Inside Books Project, a nonprofit operated by volunteers, sends about 40,000 free books to prisoners each year. But their vital work is endangered by a new rule banning used and hardcover #books. https://www.texasobserver.org/prison-crackdown-reading-access-profile/

#bookstodon #prison #HumanRights

“The water development board wouldn’t even mention it.” ...

2026-07-07T20:40:49Z

“The water development board wouldn’t even mention it.”

Last week: The Corpus Christi water crisis is a sign of Texas' planners persistent refusal to grapple with the reality of climate change. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-climate-change-refusal-crisis-corpus-christi/

A January 2026 investigation by Texas Observer revealed that ...

2026-07-06T22:00:05Z

A January 2026 investigation by Texas Observer revealed that these four businesses have links to Patriot Front, the white supremacist group that marched in Washington, D.C. during the America 250 weekend. https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-four-businesses-patriot-front-north-texas/

#racism #fascism #America250 #Trump #news #NorthTexas #Texas

From April: Worst of the worst? Prior to a public outcry, the ...

2026-07-04T19:00:38Z

From April: Worst of the worst? Prior to a public outcry, the state’s only licensed Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu legal interpreter was arrested by #ICE and languished in a Raymondville detention center.

She's lived in the US for 35 years and frequently helped immigrants translate in court. https://www.texasobserver.org/immigration-court-interpreter-arrested-ice-south-texas-airport/

#HumanRights #Trump #Texas #fascism #news #immigration

Top story: Even before its first workplace death, #SpaceX saw 427 ...

2026-06-27T15:01:54Z

Top story: Even before its first workplace death, #SpaceX saw 427 injuries and 9 respiratory illnesses between 2022 and 2025. These injuries included concussions, burns, partial finger amputations, hernias, dislocations, crushed hands, and broken ribs, legs, and ankles.
https://www.texasobserver.org/worker-death-starbase-spacex-osha-elon-musk/

#ElonMusk #news #labor #Texas

New from Gaige Davila: Even before its first workplace death, ...

2026-06-25T14:09:07Z

New from Gaige Davila: Even before its first workplace death, #SpaceX saw 427 injuries and 9 respiratory illnesses between 2022 and 2025. These injuries included concussions, second-degree burns, partial finger amputations, hernias, dislocations, crushed hands, and broken ribs, legs, and ankles.
https://www.texasobserver.org/worker-death-starbase-spacex-osha-elon-musk/

#ElonMusk #Texas #news

From Candice Bernd: As Corpus Christi faces an ever-deepening ...

2026-06-12T14:00:35Z

From Candice Bernd: As Corpus Christi faces an ever-deepening #water crisis, in response to the Observer’s public information request, the city is refusing to release the latest 2026 records of a local cryptomine’s water usage. https://www.texasobserver.org/corpus-christi-cryptomine-water-usage-secret/

#crypto #tech #environment #ClimateChange #drought #GulfCoast #Texas #politics #USpol #news

New today: “Guys like him have been using the ‘It’s only ...

2026-06-08T18:41:38Z

New today: “Guys like him have been using the ‘It’s only jokes’ and ‘edgy’ line as a way of masking what they really believe ... If Brandon Herrera is flirting with admiring the SS, Rhodesian light infantry, and the Confederacy, it tells me he’s a semi-closeted white supremacist.” https://www.texasobserver.org/brandon-herrera-gun-youtube-uvalde-congress/

#Texas #politics #USpol #news #SouthTexas #border #GunViolence

“Trans visibility is important, but also trans people deserve ...

2026-06-05T22:00:07Z

“Trans visibility is important, but also trans people deserve to have fun.”

Pride Month Repost: Come with us to a "Trans Takeover" at #Austin's Barton Springs, a moment of queer and trans joy that came weeks after a violent attack ... https://www.texasobserver.org/protect-trans-joy-barton-springs/

#pride #trans #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #culture #photography #CentralTexas #Texas

New from Mezabahnur Masum: Texas is heading into summer 2026 with ...

2026-06-01T13:57:10Z

New from Mezabahnur Masum: Texas is heading into summer 2026 with a power grid under pressure from two directions ... Data centers and large computing facilities are adding enormous, continuous electricity demand while, at the same time, summer nights are getting warmer.
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-power-grid-overnight-demand-summer/

#Texas #environment #news #energy

#ICYMI, Oil industry nepo baby and fossil fascist Bo French will ...

2026-05-28T23:00:09Z

#ICYMI, Oil industry nepo baby and fossil fascist Bo French will likely be the next Railroad Commissioner of #Texas, where he'll guide the state's oil and gas industry with policy inspired by racist conspiracy theories. https://www.texasobserver.org/bo-french-blood-and-oil-railroad-commissioner/

#fascism #racism #Republicans #politics #USpol #news #OilAndGas #environment #energy

Ken Paxton’s hypocrisy is well-documented. He's one of the ...

2026-05-22T14:00:41Z

Ken Paxton’s hypocrisy is well-documented. He's one of the loudest proponents for requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Yet he’s famously eschewed Number 7 multiple times (thou shalt not commit adultery). https://www.texasobserver.org/ken-paxton-attorney-general-rhetoric-analysis/

#Texas #politics #USpol #language #news #religion

New from Jesús Jank Curbelo: Under #Trump, more than 50 American ...

2026-05-20T15:34:36Z

New from Jesús Jank Curbelo: Under #Trump, more than 50 American kids per day have an undocumented parent yanked into #ICE detention.

These children are citizens and the government has left them struggling to survive. Here are the stories of some from #Texas ... https://www.texasobserver.org/ruptured-families-american-citizen-children-deportations/

#children #immigration #HumanRights #politics #USpol #fascism #news

Previously: “The #Dallas Express ‘news story’ about #Texas ...

2026-05-03T19:00:45Z

Previously: “The #Dallas Express ‘news story’ about #Texas state Representative and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu’s juvenile son does not pass the ethical sniff test, from its newsworthiness to its use of anonymous sources and a fake byline.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#journalism #ethics #media #NorthTexas #politics #USpol #news

Featured story: Cuba is in the dark. Literally—for most of the ...

2026-05-02T21:18:01Z

Featured story: Cuba is in the dark. Literally—for most of the day, most of the country has no electricity. The national power grid, known by its Spanish acronym, SEN, has collapsed 7 times in the past 18 months. https://www.texasobserver.org/cuba-oil-blockade-embargo-trump-essay/

#Cuba #energy #politics #news

The Observer obtained Flock license-plate reader audit logs that ...

2026-04-30T13:58:55Z

The Observer obtained Flock license-plate reader audit logs that show #police conducted 117 immigration-related searches of local data from Jan to March. One dept's reason to search: "Obstructing Justice – Suspicious female filming traffic stop & making comments about ICE” https://www.texasobserver.org/license-plate-readers-texas-privacy-advocates/

#privacy #politics #USpol #news #Texas #ICE #tech

New from Gaige Davila: “It’s not targeting criminals, it’s ...

2026-04-15T14:08:14Z

New from Gaige Davila: “It’s not targeting criminals, it’s not targeting dangerous people, it’s targeting individuals who are members of our community, who have a lot to offer and continue to offer a lot of positive things for our entire country and our society.” https://www.texasobserver.org/immigration-court-interpreter-arrested-ice-south-texas-airport/

#ICE #politics #news #USpol #immigration #Texas

Last week: “This appears to be using a pseudonym because ...

2026-04-13T20:48:07Z

Last week: “This appears to be using a pseudonym because they’re doing something underhanded. For a reader to trust you, they have to know who you are. And to create a fake name, as opposed to a no-byline, adds another level of subterfuge to this.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#politics #USpol #journalism #media #NorthTexas #Texas #Dallas #ethics #news

From Steven Monacelli: “The #Dallas Express ‘news story’ ...

2026-04-11T17:19:55Z

From Steven Monacelli: “The #Dallas Express ‘news story’ about #Texas state Representative and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu’s juvenile son does not pass the ethical sniff test, from its newsworthiness to its use of anonymous sources and a fake byline.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#news #politics #media #journalism #ethics #USpol

Monday: “[It] appears to be a hit piece masquerading as ...

2026-04-10T20:24:48Z

Monday: “[It] appears to be a hit piece masquerading as #journalism … [an] example of a news outlet with a history of distorted and vindictive reportage training its sights on the child of a state representative it opposes.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#Texas #ethics #politics #USpol #news #NorthTexas #Dallas #media #children

“The Dallas Express ‘news story’ about #Texas state ...

2026-04-08T22:00:12Z

“The Dallas Express ‘news story’ about #Texas state Representative and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu’s juvenile son does not pass the ethical sniff test, from its newsworthiness to its use of anonymous sources and a fake byline.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#journalism #media #ethics #politics #USpol #NorthTexas

“In [2023], we thought things were bad: we were having ...

2026-04-06T21:56:01Z

“In [2023], we thought things were bad: we were having conversations around safety for our children. This is another level that we haven’t ever seen before.”

Last week from Kit Mx. Kit O'Connell 🏳️‍🌈⭐👏 (npub1npn…ecka): Fathers gather together to protect their #trans and nonbinary kids from the culture wars in this doc that premiered at #SXSW. https://www.texasobserver.org/fathers-trans-nonbinary-kids/

#LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #culture #documentary #film #Texas #fascism #nonbinary #transgender #children

Out today: “This appears to be using a pseudonym because ...

2026-04-06T18:39:40Z

Out today: “This appears to be using a pseudonym because they’re doing something underhanded. For a reader to trust you, they have to know who you are. And to create a fake name, as opposed to a no-byline, adds another level of subterfuge to this.” https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-express-smears-state-rep-son-fake-byline/

#ethics #journalism #Dallas #NorthTexas #Texas #politics #USpol #news

Instability makes young people mobile. Trauma makes them hungry ...

2026-04-02T15:39:05Z

Instability makes young people mobile. Trauma makes them hungry for belonging.

Traffickers understand this. They do not begin with force. They begin with belonging. https://www.texasobserver.org/foster-care-rejection-lgbtq-texans/

#Texas #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #politics #USpol #news #HumanRights #children

“It’s anyone and everyone who is pushing back against the ...

2026-03-24T17:00:20Z

“It’s anyone and everyone who is pushing back against the insanity that is gripping our country right now. This can happen to you, and if they can do it to you, they will.” https://www.texasobserver.org/prairieland-antifa-verdict-threatens-anti-trump-resistance/

#antifa #politics #USpol #news #fascism #law #Texas #NorthTexas

"SB 13 also neutered librarians’ authority over their ...

2026-03-15T15:00:21Z

"SB 13 also neutered librarians’ authority over their collections. I no longer det"ermine what goes into my collection. I make recommendations. ... In many districts, AI is being used to assess the lists of books turned in by librarians." https://www.texasobserver.org/abilene-isd-librarian-book-ban/

#Texas #FreeSpeech #books #bookstodon #library #schools #education

From Public Health Watch: More than 26,000 #workers — an ...

2026-03-06T21:27:13Z

From Public Health Watch: More than 26,000 #workers — an average of seven per day — suffered workplace amputations from 2015 through 2024. Texas led the nation in worker amputations by a wide margin, with more than 3,900 reported in the 10-year period. https://www.texasobserver.org/workplace-amputations-on-the-rise/

#health #Texas #news #safety #labor

New from Cecilia Ballí: Bobby Pulido, the Tejano singer best ...

2026-03-02T18:07:25Z

New from Cecilia Ballí: Bobby Pulido, the Tejano singer best known for his 1990s hit “Desvelado,” is widely viewed as the frontrunner in Tuesday’s Democratic Party primary in a district redrawn in 2022 to favor Republicans—but one of the few in #Texas that #Democrats hope they can flip. https://www.texasobserver.org/south-texas-primary-bobby-pulido-latino-voters/

#elections #midterms #politics #SouthTexas #SanAntonio #border #USpol #news

Scholarship that challenges white supremacy, colonialism, or ...

2026-02-21T15:47:57Z

Scholarship that challenges white supremacy, colonialism, or state violence is labeled as divisive. Programs rooted in Indigenous, Latinx, and Black knowledge are consolidated, put under review, or dismantled. The result is not balance—it is containment. https://www.texasobserver.org/ut-system-new-controversial-topics-policy-policing-knowledge/

#education #politics #USpol #news #Texas #censorship #FreeSpeech

Out today: “A prosecutor who is truly interested in justice ...

2026-02-18T23:00:08Z

Out today: “A prosecutor who is truly interested in justice does not blast out a public press release like this to the media while a trial is pending. Nothing has been proven in court yet, and this inflammatory language is just meant to fan the flames of public outcry and poison a jury pool before the facts are heard.” https://www.texasobserver.org/ken-paxton-prosecution-midwife-power-low-income-houston/

#abortion #healthcare #HumanRights #law #Texas #politics #USpol #fascism

Like Molly Ivins, does your journalism challenge conventional ...

2026-02-15T20:00:16Z

Like Molly Ivins, does your journalism challenge conventional wisdom, and look critically at the issues of the day?

Submit it to the MOLLY Awards, our prize for investigative #journalism in both print and digital outlets, before March 20. The winner receives $5000.

Enter here: https://www.texasobserver.org/molly-awards/the-molly-awards-submissions/

#media #politics #news #contest #awards #events

“Drilling mud is a witches’ brew of chemicals. Society will ...

2026-02-14T18:00:09Z

“Drilling mud is a witches’ brew of chemicals. Society will have to pay for the cleanup, and the company that made all the money just closes up their doors and they’re on down the road. I have been screaming about this forever.” https://www.texasobserver.org/radioactive-oil-and-gas-waste-north-texas-elementary-school/

#environment #ClimateChange #politics #USpol #news #Texas #NorthTexas

Each data center can “drink” as much as an entire community. ...

2026-02-08T16:00:11Z

Each data center can “drink” as much as an entire community. Yet #Texas does not require data center operators to disclose projected #water use or report actual consumption. This makes research difficult and limits visibility for water-stressed municipalities. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-ai-data-centers-water-usage-regulation/

#tech #AI #politics #USpol #environment #ClimateChange #news

"We have no way of reconciling what these cases will do to ...

2026-02-04T19:40:34Z

"We have no way of reconciling what these cases will do to #water supplies."

New from Miranda Williamson: The world’s largest artificial intelligence data center complex is being built in Amarillo, and it’s almost seven times the size of Central Park. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-ai-data-centers-water-usage-regulation/

#tech #AI #Texas #politics #USpol #environment #ClimateChange #news

Last week: Although the DOJ investigation found that there were ...

2026-01-29T22:50:20Z

Last week: Although the DOJ investigation found that there were “cascading failures of leadership, decision-making, tactics, policy, and training,” prosecutors have not clarified why none of the other officers have been charged for their actions that day. https://www.texasobserver.org/uvalde-trial-acquittal-shooting-columbine-police/

#police #politics #USpol #news #Uvalde #education #schools #GunViolence #guns

Featured story: U.S. law enforcement’s growing use of an array ...

2026-01-29T19:45:11Z

Featured story: U.S. law enforcement’s growing use of an array of #surveillance tools enables #police to build a robust profile of almost anyone’s life and movements without a warrant or probable cause. Experts find phone-tracking tools like Tangles particularly troubling.
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-police-invest-tangles-sheriff-surveillance/

#tech #Texas #law #privacy #politics #USpol #news

Out today: Texas #Democrats have been attempting the inverse ...

2026-01-27T18:00:04Z

Out today: Texas #Democrats have been attempting the inverse maneuver for a generation: trying to win elections without taking into account the eroded civic foundations of the state.

Zohran Mamdani's victory points at another way forward. https://www.texasobserver.org/let-a-hundred-mamdanis-bloom/

#Texas #politics #USpol #news #socialism #Mamdani

Catch up with everything we've published from the ...

2026-01-23T23:00:13Z

Catch up with everything we've published from the January/February 2026 issue of our magazine: https://www.texasobserver.org/issues/january-february-2026/

#journalism #Texas #news #art #culture #politics #USpol #media

New from our magazine, by Courtney Thomas: In September, two new ...

2026-01-23T15:12:40Z

New from our magazine, by Courtney Thomas: In September, two new Shakespeare adaptations used the Bard’s canonical plays as jumping-off points to bring stories infused with Hispanic culture to #Dallas audiences. https://www.texasobserver.org/dallas-bilingual-shakespeare-review/

#culture #art #theater #NorthTexas #Texas #language

New from Michelle Pitcher: Since 1999, the year of the Columbine ...

2026-01-22T19:48:05Z

New from Michelle Pitcher: Since 1999, the year of the Columbine shooting in Colorado, the federal government has devoted an estimated $1 billion to putting sworn #police officers in schools.

But the efficacy of these officers remains unproven, especially in the case of mass shootings. https://www.texasobserver.org/uvalde-trial-acquittal-shooting-columbine-police/

#Uvalde #GunViolence #guns #schools #education #safety #news #politics #USpol

UPDATE from Steven Monacelli: Last week, the Texas Observer ...

2026-01-21T21:17:53Z

UPDATE from Steven Monacelli: Last week, the Texas Observer revealed that James Rodden, the #ICE lawyer with a white supremacist X account, was back trying cases in a #Dallas courtroom.

Now, a member of Congress wants Rodden to finally face consequences. https://www.texasobserver.org/congressman-veasey-salary-james-rodden-ice-x-account/

#WhiteSupremacy #NorthTexas #law #immigration #politics #USpol #racism #news

Featured story, from @npub1ayp…yw0l: 92% of private #schools ...

2026-01-20T18:41:04Z

Featured story, from Josephine Lee (npub1ayp…yw0l): 92% of private #schools already enrolled in the state's voucher programs serving kids beyond kindergarten are religious. An investigation by the Texas Observer found many of these exclude non-Christian and #LGBTQ+ kids. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-voucher-schools-openly-discriminate/

#politics #USpol #news #education #TXlege #religion #vouchers

Last week: This isn’t all just inside baseball for navel-gazing ...

2026-01-19T14:57:13Z

Last week: This isn’t all just inside baseball for navel-gazing journalists. It has direct ramifications for the quality and quantity of coverage of #Texas politics and government—at a crucial time.
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-media-concentration-local-journalism/

#politics #USpol #news #journalism #media

An investigation by @npub1ayp…yw0l found that 92% of private ...

2026-01-18T18:00:22Z

An investigation by Josephine Lee (npub1ayp…yw0l) found that 92% of private #schools already enrolled in Texas’ voucher programs serving kids beyond kindergarten are religious. Many of these exclude non-Christian and #LGBTQ+ kids. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-voucher-schools-openly-discriminate/

#Texas #vouchers #politics #USpol #religion #education #TXlege

The neo-fascist group Patriot Front is building a network of ...

2026-01-17T20:00:05Z

The neo-fascist group Patriot Front is building a network of businesses in North #Texas in an attempt to create a parallel, self-sufficient white nationalist economy. The Observer identified the men behind 4 of these companies. https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-four-businesses-patriot-front-north-texas/

#fascism #NorthTexas #Dallas #politics #USpol #extremism #news #racism #WhiteSupremacy

Last February, the Texas Observer investigation revealed the ...

2026-01-16T16:30:09Z

Last February, the Texas Observer investigation revealed the identity of James Rodden, an #ICE attorney who operates an openly white supremacist account on X. This year, we proved he's back in court trying #immigration cases: https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecutor-racist-account-back-at-immigration-court/

#NorthTexas #Dallas #law #politics #USpol #fascism #WhiteSupremacy #news

New from Steven Monacelli and Tristan Lee: Through analysis of ...

2026-01-15T15:07:30Z

New from Steven Monacelli and Tristan Lee: Through analysis of publicly available information, interviews and in-person observation, the Observer identified multiple companies in the #Dallas-Fort Worth area operated by individuals with connections to Patriot Front. https://www.texasobserver.org/revealed-four-businesses-patriot-front-north-texas/

#NorthTexas #politics #USpol #news #Texas #WhiteSupremacy #fascism #racism

From Francesca D'Annunzio: Police—sheriffs, Texas state ...

2026-01-14T17:56:47Z

From Francesca D'Annunzio: Police—sheriffs, Texas state cops, and even ICE—can follow the location of your smart phone without a warrant.

Yet, we know little about how this software has been used. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-police-invest-tangles-sheriff-surveillance/

Presented with support from Pulitzer Center.

#surveillance #tech #police #Texas #politics #USpol #news

Update from Steven Monacelli: James Rodden, the attorney for ICE ...

2026-01-14T15:06:55Z

Update from Steven Monacelli: James Rodden, the attorney for ICE which we identified as the operator of a white supremacist account on X, is back on the job in a Dallas immigration court. https://www.texasobserver.org/ice-prosecutor-racist-account-back-at-immigration-court/

“Police are doing an end run around this well-articulated ...

2026-01-13T15:24:15Z

“Police are doing an end run around this well-articulated system of judicial oversight by just paying money instead of going to a judge.”

New from Francesca D'Annunzio: Civil liberties experts are raising the alarm about "Tangles," a law-enforcement surveillance software that allows police to bypass judicial oversight by spying on smartphone users without a warrant.
https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-police-invest-tangles-sheriff-surveillance/

#tech #Texas #police #news #politics #USpol #law

The newest from Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent. See more ...

2026-01-11T22:00:17Z

The newest from Texas Observer cartoonist Ben Sargent.

See more Loon Star State: https://www.texasobserver.org/topics/loon-star-state/

"You talk about the fact that while you may not be on SNAP ...

2026-01-09T20:00:07Z

"You talk about the fact that while you may not be on SNAP benefits, everyone’s cost of #food is going to go up. You talk about the fact that they’re pulling this money away from those that are just trying to eat and that also impacts our #farmers—as we’re seeing record bankruptcies with farmers and ranchers." https://www.texasobserver.org/jasmine-crockett-interview-senate-december/

#Texas #politics #USpol #news #Democrats #midterms #elections

Earlier, from Francesca D'Annunzio: “All the evidence we ...

2026-01-06T23:09:13Z

Earlier, from Francesca D'Annunzio: “All the evidence we have seen suggests that this had nothing to do with gang enforcement—no one was arrested on any charge remotely related to gang activity. It appears that DPS simply raided this house because the people throwing a party were Latinos from another country.” https://www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-drop-charges-hays-county-airbnb-raid/

#Texas #police #Immigration #ICE #CentralTexas #politics #USpol #news #fascism

#BestOf2025: 34,000 employees work at VA outpatient and inpatient ...

2026-01-04T18:00:22Z

#BestOf2025: 34,000 employees work at VA outpatient and inpatient care sites across the state, and in the Central #Texas VA healthcare system 45% of #workers previously served in the military. Some told the Observer the system is at its limits. https://www.texasobserver.org/veterans-texas-healthcare-doge-trump/

#veterans #politics #USpol #news #CentralTexas #healthcare

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Texas Observer! Thank you ...

2025-12-24T22:00:15Z

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Texas Observer!

Thank you for supporting our work in 2025, and we'll see you in the New Year!

No matter how deep the darkness, sparks of light, beauty, and joy ...

2025-12-24T16:00:16Z

No matter how deep the darkness, sparks of light, beauty, and joy surround us—in, say, a baby’s smile, a lover’s touch, a refugee family’s safe arrival in a place of sanctuary, the first drops of rain on dry earth, a fragile monarch butterfly pausing its 3,000-mile migration to sip nectar from a blue mistflower. https://www.texasobserver.org/a-light-the-darkness-cannot-extinguish/

#hope #culture #fascism #Trump #democracy #religion #HumanRights

From #cryptocurrency to adoption, from an immigrant's ...

2025-12-22T15:27:56Z

From #cryptocurrency to adoption, from an immigrant's experience in school sports to a former death row inmate, here are 10 of our best long-form stories of 2025:
https://www.texasobserver.org/best-longform-stories-2025/

#politics #USpol #news #Texas #environment #DeathPenalty #immigration #BestOf2025

Earlier: Former Congressman and felon Steve Stockman, a ...

2025-12-21T20:00:20Z

Earlier: Former Congressman and felon Steve Stockman, a Friendswood-area conservative who was convicted of 23 federal corruption charges in 2018, has declared himself rehabilitated and fit to run again for the U.S. House of Representatives. https://www.texasobserver.org/steve-stockman-rides-again/

#Texas #politics #USpol #news #Republicans #Trump #GulfCoast

From @npub1ayp…yw0l: Total membership in Texas #unions has been ...

2025-12-20T18:00:08Z

From Josephine Lee (npub1ayp…yw0l): Total membership in Texas #unions has been growing. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 603,000 Texans belonged to unions in 2024, up from closer to half a million a decade ago. https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-afl-cio-changing-of-the-guard/

#Texas #politics #USpol #news #labor #workers #HumanRights

Previously: “All the evidence we have seen suggests that this ...

2025-12-16T21:30:13Z

Previously: “All the evidence we have seen suggests that this had nothing to do with gang enforcement—no one was arrested on any charge remotely related to gang activity,. It appears that DPS simply raided this house because the people throwing a party were Latinos from another country.” https://www.texasobserver.org/prosecutors-drop-charges-hays-county-airbnb-raid/

#police #ICE #immigration #Texas #politics #USpol #news #CentralTexas

“There are enough voters out there who can absolutely turn an ...

2025-12-06T16:03:19Z

“There are enough voters out there who can absolutely turn an election & blow up what they are trying to do.”

Our top story: A broad coalition are fighting for the spirit of their community, after GOP redistricting galvanized organizers. https://www.texasobserver.org/tarrant-county-redistricting-grassroots-pushback/

#activism #elections #NorthTexas #politics #USpol #news

Earlier: “The immediate economic losses projected here are just ...

2025-12-05T16:51:15Z

Earlier: “The immediate economic losses projected here are just the tip of the iceberg. International students drive innovation, advance America’s global competitiveness, and create research and academic opportunities in our local colleges that will benefit our country for generations.” https://www.texasobserver.org/targeting-international-students-texas-trump/

#education #politics #USpol #news #immigration #Texas

"I am very interested in fighting for a public option, so ...

2025-12-05T15:19:02Z

"I am very interested in fighting for a public option, so that every single Texan, every single American, would have the ability to join Medicare and would have that option of affordable, quality coverage."
https://www.texasobserver.org/james-talarico-big-tent-revival-primary/

#politics #USpol #Texas #news #healthcare #Democrats

Out today: "Captivating, funny, profane, contemptuous of ...

2025-12-04T19:58:36Z

Out today: "Captivating, funny, profane, contemptuous of establishment figures who busted unions, shut minorities out of power, and claimed ownership of the state’s Legislature and executive mansion, David always left you wanting more." https://www.texasobserver.org/remembering-david-richards-1933-2025/

#Texas #TXlege #law #history #memorial #politics #USpol #news

From Tuesday: "That commandment to love our neighbors is ...

2025-12-04T18:00:36Z

From Tuesday: "That commandment to love our neighbors is inherently a public thing. Politics is just another way that we figure out how we treat our neighbors and how we treat each other." https://www.texasobserver.org/james-talarico-big-tent-revival-primary/

#religion #ethics #HumanRights #politics #USpol #Texas #Democrats #elections #news